| [AD] | | | | swallowing, wheezing, and chronic pneumonia. |
| Children and Acid Reflux | | | | Anyone who suspects that their child is afflicted |
| Acid reflux is a condition normally associated with | | | | with acid reflux, should have the child seen by his |
| adults. Sadly, many children also suffer the | | | | or her pediatrician. After examining the child and |
| effects of acid reflux. | | | | evaluating the symptoms, the doctor may run |
| This desease, also referred to as | | | | tests to diagnose whether acid reflux is present. |
| gastro-esophageal reflux, occurs when stomach | | | | Often, the doctor will begin treatment before |
| contents churn and rise up into the esophagus, | | | | testing for acid reflux. |
| the tube connecting the stomach with the mouth. | | | | In one of the tests, called an upper GI-series |
| A muscle between the esophagus and the | | | | X-ray, the child's X-ray is taken after being given |
| stomach, known as the lower esophageal | | | | a glass of barium to drink. This particular test is |
| sphincter, is responsible for keeping the stomach | | | | successfully used to locate hiatal hernias, |
| closed off until food is swallowed. The lower | | | | blockages, and other gastrointestinal problems. |
| esophageal sphincter then opens up and allows the | | | | Another test, thought to be more effective than |
| food into the stomach before closing again. | | | | the X-ray, is the endoscopy. Typically, the child is |
| Although Acid reflux can begin during infancy, it | | | | sedated and put to sleep during the test. An |
| can carry over into early childhood. | | | | endoscope, which is a thin, flexible plastic tube |
| Though quite common in children, most people are | | | | with a camera attached to the end, is then placed |
| not aware of it's occurrence. In most cases, the | | | | inside the throat. With the help of endoscope, the |
| process of gastro-esophageal reflux occurs | | | | doctor is directly able to examine the esophagus |
| quickly, the acid comes up into the esophagus and | | | | lining, stomach, and a portion of the small intestine. |
| then rapidly goes back down into the stomach. In | | | | The endoscopy also allows the doctor to perform |
| this case, the esophagus suffers no damage. | | | | a biopsy rather painlessly. |
| However, if the stomach acid stays in the | | | | Yet another test, the esophageal pH probe, may |
| esophagus, it damages the esophagus lining. In | | | | also be used. This test consists of using an |
| some cases, the stomach contents rise up all the | | | | extremely light, and ultra-thin wire with an acid |
| way into the mouth, only to be swallowed again. | | | | sensor tip and inserting it through the patient's |
| This process causes a number of symptoms such | | | | nose and into the lower esophagus. This method |
| as a chronic cough, or a hoarse voice. More | | | | is used to detect and record the presense of |
| serious symptoms can include difficulty in | | | | stomach acid in the esophagus. |